Xingtai Zijin Mountain! A summer retreat gem hidden in Hebei, one day is simply not enough!
Xingtai Zijin Mountain! A summer retreat gem hidden in Hebei, one day is simply not enough! 🌿
Hey everyone! Want to escape the stuffy heat of the city this summer and hide away in mountains and waters full of negative ions? Xingtai Zijin Mountain is definitely an underestimated treasure! It boasts both the grandeur of northern landscapes and the elegance of Jiangnan scenery, offering a one-stop experience for sightseeing, dining, playing, and photography. I've personally tried it, and it's so much fun you won't want to leave! 💦
🌟 Must-try features of Zijin Mountain! Each one will capture your heart!
- Super healing mountains and waters: Known as "Northern Little Huangshan," with unique pines and strange rocks standing on the mountains, and clear streams flowing through the forests. You can wade in the water, listen to the springs, and watch the waterfalls. The average summer temperature is 22℃, which is even more comfortable than an air-conditioned room! 💧
- Rich cultural heritage: It houses the ruins of Guo Shoujing's early observatory. Standing by the ancient platform, you can almost feel the romance of ancient astronomers. History buffs will love it! 📜
- Exciting and stress-relieving: The mountain rafting is super thrilling! Sit in a raft and rush through the waves, feeling the cool spray on your face. It's a full-on screaming and stress-relieving experience (remember to bring a change of clothes, you'll get wet!); there's also a suspended glass skywalk where you look down into a deep valley, perfect for amazing photos! 🚣♀️🚶♀️
📅 Super practical itinerary! Fun for one or two days!
✅ One-day trip (compact version)
1. 9:00 AM Arrive at the scenic area: First, visit the "Guo Shoujing Cultural Park" to see the ancient observatory and models of astronomical instruments, and take some traditional-style photos.
2. 10:30 AM Challenge the glass skywalk: Stand on the suspended skywalk to take photos of the mountain scenery. If you're brave, try posing near the railing for a "suspended" effect.
3. 12:00 PM Enjoy farmhouse cuisine: Have lunch near the scenic area to recharge.
4. 1:30 PM Mountain rafting: The highlight of summer! It takes 1.5 hours. Remember to have a water fight with friends (buy water guns in advance~).
5. 3:30 PM Hike Qingtan Gorge: See Longtan Waterfall and ancient Qingtan trees. It's super cool walking in the shade of the trees.
6. 5:00 PM Wangyue Platform on the mountain top: Wait for a mountain sunset, the evening glow filling the mountains is super romantic! 🌇
✅ Two-day trip (leisure version)
- Day 1: Same as the one-day itinerary. Stay at a homestay near the scenic area in the evening and enjoy the starry sky in the mountains (less light pollution, super bright stars!) ✨
- Day 2: In the morning, photograph the "Wisteria Sea" (limited to late spring and early summer). In the afternoon, go to Qinwang Lake nearby for a boat ride, then head back relaxed.
🚗 Transportation guide! Convenient by car or public transport
- Self-driving: From Xingtai city, drive west along Xinghe Line, navigate to "Xingtai Zijin Mountain Scenic Area." It's about a 1.5-hour drive. The scenic area parking lot costs 10 yuan/day (ample parking spaces).
- Public transport: From Xingtai Bus Station (Zhongxing Avenue Station), there's a "Xingtai-Zijin Mountain" tourist bus line, with departures at 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM daily, and return trips at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The fare is 25 yuan/person.
🍲 Dining recommendations! Taste authentic farmhouse flavors
When you come to Zijin Mountain, you must try the local farmhouse dishes, which are fresh and affordable. I recommend these two:
- Shanli Renjia Farmhouse Restaurant: Cold mixed Magnolia bud (super tender wild vegetable), stewed free-range chicken with mushrooms (firm chicken, delicious soup you'll want to lick the plate), corn pancakes (amazing dipped in soup).
- Zijin Mountain Flavor Garden: Specializes in reservoir fish, both steamed and braised are delicious, paired with sweet potato leaf steamed buns, it's refreshing and filling.
🏨 Accommodation recommendations! Staying near the scenic area saves hassle
- Xingtai Zijin Mountain Hotel: Core location within the scenic area, a 5-minute walk to the glass skywalk and rafting starting point. Rooms offer mountain views and include breakfast (porridge, eggs, buns are very substantial), suitable for those who want to start playing early.
- Yunqi Mountain Dweller Homestay: Located in Bai'an Township near the scenic area, a wooden courtyard with a swing and vegetable garden. You can hear insects at night. The owner can help book farmhouse meals, suitable for those who like peace and quiet.
- Xingtai Tianhe Mountain Hotel: If you want to combine your trip with Tianhe Mountain, this hotel is between the two scenic areas (20-minute drive). It has family rooms and complete facilities, a top choice for families with kids.
📸 Photo spots + tips! 100% success rate for great shots
1. Longtan Waterfall: Wear a white/light-colored dress, stand on a rock under the waterfall, shoot from a low angle, use "Live Photo" to capture the moment water splashes, it's dynamic and produces great shots~ 💦
2. Wangyue Platform on the mountain top: Shoot silhouettes against the light around 5-6 PM (spread your arms for a grand look), then adjust the evening glow in post-production, the sky will be more orange and romantic! 🌄
3. Guo Shoujing Observatory: Wear Hanfu/New Chinese style clothes, use "Portrait Mode" to blur the background. The best light is at 9 AM or 4 PM, avoid strong midday sun~ 📜
4. Qingtan Gorge Skywalk: Wear bright clothes (yellow/pink) to contrast with the green. Have a friend shoot from the end of the skywalk, use "Panorama Mode" to frame both the gorge and the person~ 💚
5. Wisteria Sea (late spring/early summer): Crouch down and shoot from bottom to top, letting the sea of flowers surround the person. Turn on "Vivid Mode" for more saturated colors, avoid weekend mornings (fewer people, better for photos)~ 💜
6. Glass Skywalk: Stand near the outer railing, shoot from a low angle from the viewing platform below, use "Wide Angle" to emphasize the suspended feeling, and have the person reach out to touch the sky, very impactful! 🚶♀️
🌟 5+ nearby scenic areas! Connect your trip without detours
After visiting Zijin Mountain, don't miss these nearby attractions, suitable for a 2-3 day in-depth tour of Xingtai:
1. Tianhe Mountain (25-minute drive): "China's Mountain of Love," with a love skywalk and mountain rafting, a must-visit for couples~
2. Yunmeng Mountain (30-minute drive): Caves + cliffside promenade, 23℃ in summer, super cool for escaping the heat~
3. Xingtai Grand Canyon (40-minute drive): Danxia canyon complex, hike to see "A Line of Sky," a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts~
4. Jiulong Gorge (35-minute drive): See peach blossoms in spring, red leaves in autumn, different scenery in each season~
5. Qiannan Yu Ecological Tourist Area (20-minute drive): Red tourism + forest oxygen bar, you can also pick seasonal fruits~
6. Qinwang Lake (20-minute drive): Take a boat ride on the lake to watch the sunset, healing and great for photos~
Hey everyone! The beauty of Xingtai Zijin Mountain truly needs to be experienced in person to understand~ Whether it's for escaping the heat, hiking, or taking beautiful photos, it can satisfy you! Friends who love niche mountains and waters in Hebei, quickly follow me~ Next time, I'll unlock more hidden ways to play and exclusive tips to avoid pitfalls, making your trip worry-free and enjoyable! ❤️ Tell me in the comments which attraction in Zijin Mountain you most want to visit~